UPWARD

Bennett asked us if he could please play basketball this year.  We are all about letting the kids try new things....but Bennett had never played basketball before.  And, at age 10, that could have been problematic.  However, we were told about a great program called Upward.  When we went to sign up, the lady told us that they had cheerleading too.  You know what that means....we had to sign up for cheer!  

Bennett and Grace were both blessed with great coaches.  Bennett's coach was amazing with teaching the fundamentals of basketball.  His team only lost one game - the game Bennett missed with pneumonia.  Coincidence??    

They are already asking to participate again next year.  Maggie wants to cheer with her sister and she will be old enough to cheer.  Looking forward to another great season!!

JANUARY 2015

January in pictures....

Grace robbed her piggy bank to buy the American Girl doll Girl of the Year....because her name is Grace!

Lunch with Grandpa

Texts from Bennett make me laugh

Pic from the yearly picture challenge

Dinner with Gigi and Eric

More texts from Bennett

Bennett loves face painting

Receiving his soccer trophy for being the 1st place team

She couldn't make it all the way home....

Another favorite from the photo challenge

Love, love, love this picture!!

I walked into my room to hear giggling.  Maggie said, "I bet you can't find me!"

Breakfast with Grandpa and Nana after a sleepover

She wasn't tired.  On a side note....look at those eyelashes!!

I found this gem in Bennett's backpack.  He was supposed to wear his WLE shirt.....

DECEMBER 2014

December was quite a month for the Cooper's!

Got this text one morning at work.

Bennett was so excited that his dad got to eat at his feast with him!

I love Bennett's giving heart.

My dad's entire family

Grace got a good check up!

This was Christmas Eve on the way home.  She is such a nut.

We love our baby-sitter, Natalie.  She sent this to us while we were out.

This is how we rang in New Years Eve!

Santa came!

Bennett's loot

Grace's stash

Santa brought American Girl doll stuff for Grace and Maggie to share

Maggie's goodies

My favorite part of the holiday.....the kids gathered all of this stuff.   They wrapped it and snuck it under the tree without us noticing.  They were so excited to give us things.  This speaks volumes to their hearts.

LIFESONG CHRISTMAS RECITAL

We love our dance studio!!  The holiday recital is always a great time.  

Love the raccoon eyes....

GRACE'S TONSILLECTOMY

After 6 cases of strep throat in 4 months, we got to visit the ENT to discuss having Grace's tonsils removed.  We checked into the hospital bright and early.  Everything went great and we were able to go home the same day as her surgery!

Every time the nurse tried to take the breathing tube out of Grace's mouth, she would bite down on it.  She is feisty even when she has been put under!

Grace's teacher came to visit her...so sweet!

Just in case you ever wondered by tonsils look like while they are healing.  She was born with a geographic tongue which causes these crazy patterns.

Everything went perfectly according to plan.  We kept saying we couldn't believe how well she was recovering.  And then....Monday rolled around and the ball dropped.  When we got home from school, Grace kept complaining that her throat was hurting.  I chalked it up to her being tired from being at school for the first time in a week...until she opened her mouth and it was full of blood.  She then vomited blood.  I got on the phone and called the ENT who told me to bring her straight to the ER.  I jumped in the car and headed toward Dallas.   We checked into the ER and were taken to a room very quickly.  The ENT on call came in and introduced himself and then we prepared for emergency surgery.  I saw things that night with Grace that I never want to relive.  That is honestly the most scared I have ever been where Grace is concerned.  

Headed home from the hospital....she looks so pale!  She lost quite a bit of blood.

My favorite picture!!  I walked into the living room to see this hug in action.  I love the way they love each other.  He was soooo worried about her.